Pathfinders Leonardo DaVinci Aerial Screw Wood Kit

Check out this great kit from our friends at Pathfinders! This time they've designed a wooden kit that allows you to make a replica of Leonardo da Vinci design for the world's first helicopter.

From the kit description:

One of Leonardo's most iconic images, the Aerial Screw (also known as the Helicopter) illustrates the ingenuity of da Vinci, and indicates his obsession with flying. While this idea may never have got off the ground, for some basic technical reasons, it gave us an insight into the different ways in which Leonardo considered the challenge of human powered flying, and defines him as an inventor well ahead of his time. While it is often referred to as a helicopter, the premise of the lift to make it rise is more like archimedes screw than the rotors of a helicopter.

The kit comes complete with all pieces pre-cut and ready to assemble. Even the glue included!  Just follow the easy-to-understand instructions, and in a few hours you will have a completed kit. Mind you, it doesn't fly, but it's wonderful fun to turn the crank, watch the pinwheel gears and see the helical screw spin. A great project for young and old.

Here is where you can order the Pathfinders Leonardo DaVinci Aerial Screw Wood Kit

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Christmas Copter automaton by Ron Varga

Here's a clever concept for an automaton -- this one created by Ron Varga. The remote-control helicopter flies around the top of the Christmas, each time barely missing the boy who ducks just in time.

Here is where you can find more information about Christmas Copter automaton by Ron Varga.

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Summer projects: Build your own wooden ornithopter kinetic model

Take a look at the cool wooden ornithoper kit! The model is based on an invention found in one of
Leonardo's notebook's

Turning the hand-crank sets in motion the gears and linkages that operates the wings, legs and arms of the pilot. It's a pretty big model, measuring 17" by 24" by 12".  The wooden construction kit uses a pegged gear train -- a lantern pinion and contrate pin wheel. This component alone would make this a model worth examing closely!

Here is where you can get the  wooden ornithopter model.

For the advanced Leonardo fanatic:
Leonardo's Machines: Da Vinci's Inventions Revealed

From Leonardo da Vinci's descriptions and drawings - and by using digital imaging - armoured ships, hydraulic machinery, winches and machines destined for use in war, work and pleasure emerge fully equipped and functional in stunning 3-dimensional, computer-generated artworks. A fascinating in-depth discussion of da Vinci's work and inventions accompanies these illustrations, revealing at the same time the incredible journey the authors of this book travelled whilst compiling it.

Here's is where you can find books on Leonardo's inventions.

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Vintage video profile of toy maker Ron Fuller in his workshop

Here's another wonderful video from the archives over at Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. This short video features artist and toy maker, Ron Fuller, in his workshop. In the video we get to see his Woodland Animal mechanical piece The Circus, The Sheepshearer, a sand toy and many other creations from his charming workshop in Suffolk, England.

A kid at heart, it's great to see this grown man making mechanical toys. This piece makes a nice companion to the video profile of Ron Fuller from earlier this year.

If you like Ron Fuller's work and want to make some of the same models and automata, you will want to get his book The Art and Craft of Wooden Toys. It is very clear and well-illustrated. It's one of the few books with complete plans for a wood automaton -- his famous Lion Tamer automaton.

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Remote controlled bald eagle with 9 foot wingspan

Take a look at this awesome remote controlled eagle. This thing is huge -- over 9 feet, actually. In addition to soaring, the eagle can also fly in loops and hover in place against the wind. This has to be the most impressive bird-like flying toy I've seen so far.

From the RC eagle description:

This is the remote controlled bald eagle with a 9 1/2' wingspan that catches the wind for broad, soaring turns. It is powered by a gimbal-mounted engine and propeller that provides nimble, multi-directional vector movement which replicates the bird of prey's agile turns and dives. The natural curvature of the nylon/polyester wings creates an airfoil that provides lift for the carbon fiber frame and wing struts. The transmitter controls the eagle up to 500' away; trim controls allow fine adjustment to left, right, up, and down thrust of the propeller.

Want to see some video? Yeah, you do! Here's where you can learn more and see video of this 9 1/2 foot remote controlled bald eagle.

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Seabird Flying Bird model/kit flies by flapping wings

This model bird kit known as The Seabird has a wingspan of 30 inches and flies by flapping its wings. That's a pretty big ornithopter! It is spring: time to head outside to send a mechanical bird into the air, methinks.

Here's where you can get the Seabird Flying Bird Model Kit.

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Dremelcpter - DIY wood toy flies over 100 feet

Here's an impressive flying toy made from wood -- though I hesitate to call it a "toy" because it is launched by a Dremel rotary tool which spins the 5 inch diameter fan at several thousand RPMs! The author says it can go well over 100 feet. There are complete step-by-step instructions and downloadable plan drawings on the instructables web site. You will need a laser cutter, or order some parts cut by one to complete this project.

Here is a link to the instructable for the DREMELCOPTER.

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4 winged rubber-band powered Luna Ornithopter

What makes ornithopters so cool is that they fly by flapping wings just like an insect or bird. As a kid I had the Tim Bird rubber band-powered ornithopter. In the last few years, they have come out with a number of new designs, like this ornithopter available in The Automata / Automaton Store.

The Luna Ornithopter is a kit shown here includes everything you need to make your own four winged rubber-band powered ornithopter with a 14 inch wingspan. You will need to provide a few basic tools and some white glue.

Here's where you can get the Luna Ornithopter Kit (Flies by Flapping Wings!)

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The Toy Shop – 20 Marvelous Mechanical Models

Back in the 1980s there was a program for the Commodore 64 computer called 'The Toy Shop'. The program allowed you to print out designs to make twenty paper models, many of which were kinetic. The models included trucks, airplanes, a carousel, a sundial, flying toys, a catapult, a working scale, several machines, a zoetrope and this amazing mechanical bank!

A wonderful web page documents all of the projects from The Toy Shop program, allowing you to download both the patterns and the instructions for free.

Here is where you can view, download and make the 20 assorted projects from The Toy Shop software.

[ Thanks Julia! ]

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Live-action vampire bat hunt toy

I realize that vampires are all the rage right now, so what I am about to say is probably not politically correct. Call me old fashioned, but to the best of my knowledge vampires are still DANGEROUS TERRIFYING MONSTERS. In my opinion, you would be well served in getting some training in before one takes flight and comes after you or one of your loved ones. It is, after all, that time of year.

From the toy description:

This is the live-action shooting game that challenges hunters of the undead to down a flying vampire bat with a harmless infrared blaster. A 10-second charge on the barrel of the blaster animates the bat with sinister energy for a 30-second flight. The bat's 6" long mylar wings flap up and down nearly 500 times per minute, and it can be set to fly in an erratic left or right-turning circle or a level, straight line. Sharp-eyed vampire hunters take aim with the infrared blaster -- the first two hits merely stun the fell creature, momentarily interrupting its flapping; the third hit downs it for good. The single-shot blaster has a 20' range and makes a loading sound with each pump.

I implore you: think of the children, do the right thing, kill vampires. Remember it is NEVER safe to handle a vampire...no matter how handsome he may be.

Here's where you can get the live-action vampire bat hunt toy.

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Live-action skeet game with flying targets

Here's a nifty mechanical toy that launches targets up to 7 feet in the air. Once aloft, you use the gun's infrared beam to "break" the targets apart. Skeet shooting with a pistol? Sounds difficult in real-life, but I'm sure the game is a bit easier.

Here's where you can get the The Live Action Skeet Shooting Game.

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Trick flight maneuvers by a quadrotor helicopter

Check out the amazingly precise flight moves of this four-propeller autonomous helicopter created at the University of Pennsylvania. Autonomous? Really? Wow!

From the video description:

Control of precise aggressive maneuvers with an autonomous quadrotor helicopter. This is a small autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Demonstrations of flips, flight through windows, and quadrotor perching are shown. Work done at the GRASP Lab, University of Pennsylvania.

See more cool projects going on at the GRASP Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania.

[ Thanks Julia! ]

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Paper airplane walk-along gliders - nearly magic

Why didn't someone tell me about this sooner! The first video I found on walk-along gliders seemed so incredible that I assumed it was fake. Not so! There are tons of videos and wonderful how-to tutorials out there (see below). My thanks to Falk Keuten and the other contributors to the outstanding Paper Forest Blog for sharing these with me.

Here is an Instructable on how to make your own walk-along glider:

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Micro Mosquito 3.0 Channel R/C Helicopter

Yet another tiny indoor helicopter. Each generation claims to be more stable and easier to fly. Mine you, I can't verify this personally. (Dear Toy Companies: Send me one of everything cool and mechanical. Thank you.)

From the product description:

The Micro Mosquito 3.0 Channel R/C Helicopter is the world's smallest, most stable, lightest indoor helicopter. Flies forward with full control as well as up, down, left and right and has a long 7-minute in-flight time on only a 35-minute charge. Two frequencies available. Comes with everything you need to be flying within minutes including a radio control transmitter, flight battery and manual. Requires 6 "C" batteries and one 9V battery, not included. Measures approximately 5".

Here Amazon's page for the Micro Mosquito 3.0 Channel R/C Helicopter

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Parrot AR.Drone - Quadrotor helicopter for iPhone

I've never really felt the desire to get an iPhone...until I saw this.

Here is a web site with more info on the ParrotAR.Drone.

[ Thanks Kev! ]

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Solar Flier: solar-powered desktop airplane

This tiny airplane model is equipped with solar panels built into the wings. When sunlight (or any bright light) shines on the airplane, the solar cells generate electricity to turn the propeller. This causes the little plane to fly in circles around its base.

From the product description:

The Solar Flier makes a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys flight or is curious about the solar power generation process. A dynamic executive or teacher gift, you cannot go wrong with this new great invention from Fascinations.

Here's the link to the Solar Flier, solar-powered desktop model Airplane.

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The world's smallest remote-control ornithopter

Check out this tiny remote-controlled ornithopter inspired by Da Vinci's drawings. It is about the size of a hummingbird and stays aloft by flapping its little wings 40 times a second.

From the product description:
"Digital proportional flight control enables smooth turns, climbs, and dives with the dual-stick remote. The ornithopter's frame is sturdy, lightweight plastic, with tear-resistant mylar covering the wings and tail. Its rechargeable lithium polymer battery provides seven minutes of flight after a five-minute charge from the controller. For indoor use only."

Here is the link for this miniature remote control ornithopter.

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Mini HoverDrone - the smallest flying R/C toy yet

Take a look at this very small flying toy...

From the toy description:

With a diameter not much larger than a silver dollar and a single propeller on the bottom, the HoverDrone somehow manages to float in the air as it spins and flashes its blue LED. The simple slider control allows only up-and down movement... but this makes it so easy to fly that anyone can instantly control it.

Here's a link to the Mini HoverDrone flying toy.

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Shooting game with flying motorized duck

Here's a new twist to the classic duck hunt game that brings it into 3 full dimensions. This "duck" is actually flying around the room!

From the game description:

This is the live-action shooting game that lets you hunt a flying duck with a harmless infrared gun. A 10-second charge on the barrel of the gun energizes the mechanical duck for a 30-second flight. The duck's 6" long mylar wings flap up and down nearly 500 times per minute, and it can be set to fly in an erratic left- or right-turning circle or a level, straight line. Sharp-eyed hunters take aim with the infrared gun--the first two hits merely stun the waterfowl, momentarily interrupting his flapping; the third hit downs the duck for good. The single-shot blaster has a 20' range and makes a loading sound with each pump.

Here's the link for the live-action flying duck hunt target shooting game.

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Making Moving Toys: 30 Quick and Easy Projects

I don't have this book myself (yet), but it looks like it could be a lot of fun. Making Moving Toys offers instructions and templates to make 30 different types of moving toys out of common materials. The projects range from spinning tops, wind-powered figures, paper airplanes, a carousel, a climbing monkey, a zoetrope, and many more. See? Fun!

Here's the link to Making Moving Toys: 30 Quick and Easy Projects to Make.

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